A Toronto bus operator is being praised for pulling a driver out of a burning vehicle after a fiery collision early Wednesday morning.
Toronto police said a stolen Honda was travelling at a high speed when it crashed into a TTC bus just before 4:50 a.m. at Bathurst Street and Eglinton Avenue West.
Insp. Brian Maslowski said the force of the crash resulted in another TTC bus being hit, and the Honda vehicle bursting into flames.
The Honda driver was pulled out of the vehicle in a “heroic effort” by one of the bus drivers, Maslowski said. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Maslowski added one bus driver and two bus occupants were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver of the second bus was treated at the scene.
Greg Percy, interim TTC CEO, said in a statement incidents such as Wednesday’s “strike at the heart of the TTC family,” and are a reminder of the importance of safety.
“In addition, one of our operators involved in the accident pulled the driver out of the car,” he said.
“This is a perfect example of the integrity, responsibility, and care we strive to uphold at the TTC.”
Marvin Alfred, president of ATU Local 113 – the union representing nearly 12,000 TTC workers – called the operator a “selfless hero.”
“We are very proud of our operator who acted with composure when the incident occurred and reacted swiftly in the face of danger by pulling the unconscious motorist out from the burning car, despite his own injury,” he said.
“By rescuing the motorist, the operator acted selflessly and went beyond his duties to ensure the safety of others. He is proud to be able to help someone in danger. The operator mentioned that he didn’t stop to think, he just acted. We as a union are proud to call him a selfless hero.”
Investigators are asking anyone with footage of the accident to contact police.
— with files from The Canadian Press